Northside Advances to Second Round of the 5A AHSAA Playoffs

Northside defeated Beauregard on Thursday night with a commanding 48-14 victory in the first round of the AHSAA Playoffs. The Rams were led by Junior Quarterback Jackson Rhoades, who had an impressive performance with five touchdowns in the 34-point win.

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The game began with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Rhoades to his senior wide receiver, JJ Case, just two plays in, putting the Rams ahead by seven points with 11:05 remaining in the first quarter. The Rams scored again before the quarter ended, this time thanks to a 30-yard touchdown run by Northside's junior running back, Bennet Green. He made the run untouched, courtesy of a significant hole created by excellent blocks from the offensive line. As a result, Northside held a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Rams' junior defensive back Sawyer Kendrick recorded an interception, which led to a touchdown for Northside. Senior wide receiver and Indiana baseball commit Austin Kightlinger caught a precise pass from Rhoades and raced 55 yards to the endzone, increasing the score to 21-0 with 10:24 remaining in the half.

Northside went on to score two more touchdowns before halftime. Green made an impressive ten-yard rush for his second touchdown of the game, dragging several defenders on his way to the endzone. Rhoades then connected with Case for the duo's second touchdown of the game, and Rhoades' third on the night, this one from 40 yards out to put Northside up 35-0 with 1:18 left in the half.

Beauregard was able to get on the board right before halftime with the Hornets' senior running back Tae Forman, who ran it in from five yards out to make the 35-6 ball game at the end of the half, following a missed PAT by Beauregard.

Northside continued to dominate in the second half, just as they did in the first. The Rams scored two more touchdowns, starting with senior wide receiver Evan Taylor catching a 20-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, marking Taylor's first touchdown of the game and Rhoades's fourth passing touchdown of the night. The Rams’ final touchdown came with just over two minutes left in the third quarter when Rhoades connected with Chase on a screen pass that resulted in a 45-yard touchdown. This was Case's third touchdown reception of the game and Rhoades's fifth passing touchdown, bringing the score to 48-6 after Northside's extra point attempt was blocked.

Beauregard managed to score once in the second half with a rushing touchdown from the Hornets' senior running back, who ran in from five yards out to pick up his second rushing touchdown of the game. The Hornets then successfully converted a two-point conversion, making the score 48-14 with 3:44 left in regulation. Northside proceeded to run down the clock on its next drive, securing its first playoff win since 2021, when the Rams defeated Madison County 35-31 in the first round of the 4A AHSAA playoffs.

Tonight's win marks Northside's sixth playoff victory in program history, and it is the first under head coach Robbie Jones.

Northside will improve to 11-0 for the season as the Rams advance to the second round of the AHSAA playoffs. They will host the winner of the Vigor versus Charles Henderson game on Friday, November 14th.

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